Optical communication cable

ABSTRACT

An optical communication cable is provided. The cable includes a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements wrapped around an elongate central strength member such that a portion of the length of the plurality of wrapped elongate optical transmission elements form a spiral portion around the elongate central strength member. The cable includes an elastic sleeve surrounding the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements, and the elastic sleeve is formed from an extruded first material. The cable includes a cable body formed from an extruded second material different from the first material, and the cable body surrounds the film, and the cable body has an inner surface that faces the outer surface of the film.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/883,286, filed Sep. 27, 2013, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to optical communication cables andmore particularly to optical communication cables including coreelements that are coupled together by a thin film prior jacketextrusion. Optical communication cables have seen increased use in awide variety of electronics and telecommunications fields. Opticalcommunication cables contain or surround one or more opticalcommunication fibers. The cable provides structure and protection forthe optical fibers within the cable.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to an optical communicationcable. The optical communication cable includes a cable body, a firstcore element located in the cable body and a second core element locatedin the cable body. The first core element includes a first tube havingan inner surface defining a bore and an outer surface and a firstoptical transmission element located within the bore of the first tube.The second core element includes a second tube having an inner surfacedefining a bore and an outer surface and a second optical transmissionelement located within the bore of the second tube. The opticalcommunication cable includes a strength member located in the cablebody. The first core element and the second core element are woundaround the strength member. The optical communication cable includes anelastic sleeve formed from an extruded first material, and the elasticsleeve surrounds the first core element, the second core element and thestrength member. The elastic sleeve includes an inner surface facing theouter surface of the first core element and the outer surface of thesecond core element. The cable body is formed from an extruded secondmaterial. The cable body surrounds the elastic sleeve, and the cablebody has an inner surface that faces an outer surface of the elasticsleeve.

An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to an opticalcommunication cable. The optical communication cable includes a cablebody having a passage within the cable body. The optical communicationcable includes a first core element located in the passage of the cablebody, and the first core element includes an outer surface and a firstoptical transmission element. The optical communication cable includes asecond core element located in the passage of the cable body, and thesecond core element includes an outer surface and a second opticaltransmission element. The optical communication cable includes astrength member located in the passage of the cable body, and the firstcore element and the second core element are wound around the strengthmember. The optical communication cable includes a film formed from anextruded first material located within the passage of the cable body.The film surrounds the first core element, the second core element andthe strength member. The film applies a radial inwardly directed forceto the outer surface of the first core element and the outer surface ofthe second core element. The cable body is formed from a second materialdifferent from the first material. The cable body surrounds the film,and the cable body has an inner surface that faces the outer surface ofthe film.

An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to an opticalcommunication cable. The optical communication cable includes a cablebody having a bore within the cable body. The optical communicationcable includes an elongate central strength member located in a centralarea of the bore. The optical communication cable includes a pluralityof elongate optical transmission elements wrapped around the elongatecentral strength member such that a portion of a length of the pluralityof wrapped elongate optical transmission elements forms a spiral portionaround the elongate central strength member. The optical communicationcable includes an extruded membrane surrounding the plurality ofelongate optical transmission elements. The extruded membrane is formedfrom a first material, and the extruded membrane is contiguous in acircumferential direction around the elongate optical transmissionelements and is contiguous in an axial direction for at least onerevolution of the elongate optical transmission elements around theelongate central strength member within the spiral portion. The membranecontacts an outer surface of each of the plurality of elongate opticaltransmission elements within the spiral portion. The cable body isformed from an extruded second material. The cable body surrounds thefilm, and the cable body has an inner surface that faces the outersurface of the film.

An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to an opticalcommunication bundle. The optical communication bundle includes anelongate central strength member and a plurality of elongate opticaltransmission elements wrapped around the elongate central strengthmember such that a portion of the length of the plurality of wrappedelongate optical transmission elements form a spiral portion around theelongate central strength member. The optical communication bundleincludes an extruded membrane surrounding the plurality of elongateoptical transmission elements. The extruded membrane is contiguous inthe circumferential direction around the elongate optical transmissionelements and is contiguous in an axial direction for at least fiverevolutions of the elongate optical transmission elements around thecentral strength member. The extruded membrane applies a radial inwardlydirected force to the outer surfaces of the plurality of elongateoptical transmission elements such that the film acts to maintain thespiral arrangement of the spiral portion of the wrapped elongate opticaltransmission elements

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing theembodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof,as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are merely exemplary, and areintended to provide an overview or framework to understand the natureand character of the claims.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), andtogether with the description serve to explain principles and operationof the various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber cable according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed side view showing wrapped core elements of thecable of FIG. 1 bound together via a film according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cable according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of a core element of the cable ofFIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of a core element, filmand jacket of the cable of FIG. 3 according to another exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a cable according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a cable according to anotherexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a system and process for forming anoptical cable having a thin film binder according to an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of an opticalcommunication cable (e.g., a fiber optic cable, an optical fiber cable,etc.) are shown. In general, the cable embodiments disclosed hereininclude a thin film or membrane layer that surrounds and binds togetherthe core elements of the cable (e.g., buffer tubes containing looseoptical fibers, optical micro-modules, tight buffered optical fibers,filler rods, etc.). The film discussed herein is extruded over the coreelements after the core elements are wound in a pattern or arrangement(e.g., a spiral pattern, a helical pattern, SZ pattern, etc.) around acentral support member. The film is rapidly cooled and solidified aroundthe core element such that the film contracts applying a radiallyinwardly directed force onto the core elements. The radial inwardlydirected force increases the normal force between the core elements andthe central strength element which acts to limit or prevent relativemovement between the core elements and the central strength element asthe elements are advanced through the cable assembly process. Inaddition, the radial force provided by the film acts to maintain thecore elements in the wound pattern by preventing or limiting the coreelements from unwinding from around the central strength member. Inparticular, this restraining force provided by the film maintains thecore elements in the desired wound pattern as the additional components(e.g., armor material, cable jackets, etc.) are applied to form thecompleted cable. Thus, in various embodiments the film is an elasticsleeve that forms an interference fit with the core elements of thecable.

In various embodiments, the optical cables discussed herein includeoptical fiber micromodules that have low or zero extra fiber length(EFL, such as less than an average of about 0.1% or less per fiber permicromodule) within the buffer tube of the micromodules. In addition,such micromodules may include densely packed optical fibers within abuffer tube in which the inner surface of the buffer tube contacts theouter surface of one or more optical fibers within the buffer tube. Thedense packing of optical fibers within the micromodules allows forsmaller cross-sectional area optical units. However, the lack of EFL andthe tight packing may also act to transfer external forces to theoptical fibers which may result in optical signal attention. In contrastto helically wound binder fibers that create localized pressure pointsat the point of contact between the helical binder and the buffer tube,the film binder discussed herein distributes the binding forces evenlyaround both the circumference of the core elements and axially along thelength of the core elements. In the case of micromodules that may bemore susceptible to strain based attenuation, the thin film bindersdiscussed herein may act to limit or prevent such strain basedattenuation.

Referring to FIG. 1, an optical communication cable, shown as cable 10,is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Cable 10 includes a cablebody, shown as cable jacket 12, having an inner surface 14 that definesa inner passage or cavity, shown as central bore 16. As will begenerally understood, inner surface 14 of jacket 12 defines an internalarea or region within which the various cable components discussed beloware located. A plurality of optical transmission elements, shown asoptical fibers 18, are located within bore 16. Generally, cable 10provides structure and protection to optical fibers 18 during and afterinstallation (e.g., protection during handling, protection fromelements, protection from vermin, etc.).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, cable 10 includes a plurality of coreelements located within central bore 16. A first type of core element isan optical transmission core element, and these core elements includebundles of optical fibers 18 that are located within tubes, such asbuffer tubes 20. One or more additional core elements, shown as fillerrods 22, may also be located within bore 16. Filler rods 22 and buffertubes 20 are arranged around a central support, shown as centralstrength member 24 formed from a material such as glass-reinforcedplastic or metal (e.g., steel). Together, buffer tubes 20 containingoptical fibers 18, filler rods 22 and central strength member 24 formthe core 26 of cable 10.

Cable 10 includes a film or membrane, shown as binding film 28, locatedaround buffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22 of cable 10. As explained inmore detail below, thin film 28 is an extruded thin film that cools toprovide an inwardly directed force on to buffer tubes 20 and filler rods22. The inwardly directed force provided by film 28 assists to holdbuffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22 in a fixed position relative tocentral strength member 24 by increasing the normal force and thereforefrictional force between these components. Thus, in some embodiments, aninterference fit is provided between the outer surfaces of the coreelements and film 28 such that film 28 acts to provide an inwardlydirected force onto the core elements of cable 10. In addition, theinwardly directed force provided by film 28 acts to prevent/resistunraveling of the wound core elements. In some embodiments, an adhesive(e.g., hot melt adhesive) is applied to couple core elements such asbuffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22 to strength member 24. Thus, invarious embodiments, the film of cable 10 is a constraining element orconstraining sleeve that acts to bind together the core of cable 10 asdiscussed herein. In specific embodiments, the film of cable 10 is anelastic sleeve that applies a radial inwardly directed force asdiscussed herein.

In various embodiments, film 28 is formed from a first material, andjacket 12 is formed from a second material. In various embodiments, thefirst material is different from the second material. In some suchembodiments, the material type of the first material is different fromthe material type of the second material. In various embodiments, film28 may be formed from a variety of extruded polymer materials. Invarious embodiments, film 28 may be formed from low-density polyethylene(LDPE), polyester, or polypropylene. In one embodiment, film 28 isformed from a linear LDPE. In one embodiment, film 28 is formed from anLDPE material having a modulus of elasticity between 600 MPa and 1000MPa, and more specifically about 800 MPa (e.g., 800 MPa plus or minus 5percent). In one embodiment, film 28 is formed from a polyester materialhaving a modulus of elasticity between 2000 MPa and 2800 MPa, and morespecifically about 2400 MPa (e.g., 2400 MPa plus or minus 5 percent). Invarious embodiments, the material of film 28 may include a coloringmaterial. In one such embodiment, film 28 may be colored the same asjacket 12. In one such embodiment, the material of film 28 may be apolymer material (e.g., LDPE, PP) including carbon black coloringmaterial, and the different material of jacket 12 may be a differentpolymer material (e.g., medium density polyethylene) that also includescarbon black coloring material. In addition, film 28 may include UVstabilizing compounds and may include weakened areas (e.g., lowerthickness areas) that facilitate tearing, for example via rip cord 42.

As noted above, the first material of film 28 is different from thesecond material of jacket 12. In some such embodiments, film 28 isformed from a first material that is extruded at an earlier time orearlier stage in cable production than jacket 12. In such embodiments,film 28 is formed prior to formation of jacket 12. In some suchembodiments, a first extrusion process forms film 28 at an earlier timein cable production, and a second extrusion process forms jacket 12 at alater time in cable production. In some such embodiments, the firstmaterial of film 28 and the second material of jacket 12 are the sametype of material (e.g., both are MDPE, PP, etc.) that are associatedwith cable 10 at different time points during production of cable 10. Inother embodiments, the first material of film 28 and the second materialof jacket 12 are the different types of material (e.g., film 28 is aLDPE and jacket 12 is MDPE) and are also associated with cable 10 atdifferent time points during production of cable 10.

In contrast to a cable that includes a single outer extruded layer(e.g., a single extruded jacket), cables discussed herein including twoextruded layers may include various structures not present in a cablehaving a single extruded layer (e.g., a single extruded outer jacketlayer). For example, in some embodiments, film 28 includes an outersurface 41 that interfaces with inner surface 14 of jacket 12. In someembodiments, cable 10 may include gaps, air pockets or delaminationsbetween jacket 12 and film 28. In embodiments in which the material offilm 28 and jacket 12 melt or bond together during jacket extrusion,there may be a region of mixed material including a mixture of both thematerial of film 28 and the material of jacket 12. In some suchembodiments, within the region of mixed material, the density of thematerial of film 28 increases in the radially inward direction, and thedensity of the material of jacket 12 increases in the radially outwarddirection.

In various embodiments, a layer of powder, such as water absorbingpowder or particles, such as super absorbent polymer (SAP) or a waterswellable gel or liquid, is located within bore 16. In such embodiments,the inner surface of film 28 includes the water absorbent particles orother material that that directly contacts the outer surfaces of buffertubes 20 and filler rods 22 under the radial inwardly directed forceapplied by film 28. In other words, as discussed herein, contact betweenfilm 28 and buffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22 may include contactthrough certain discontinuous intermediate or filler materials that maybe present within bore 16, such as SAP particles, SAP yarns and/or waterswellable gels and liquids, that may be positioned within bore 16.However, as discussed herein, contact between film 28 and buffer tubes20 and filler rods 22 does not include contact through acircumferentially continuous layer of material located between film 28and buffer tubes 20. In some embodiments, the inner surface of film 28directly contacts the outer surface of buffer tubes 20 such at least aportion of the inner surface of film 28 directly physically interactswith the outer surface of the buffer tube 20 without interveningmaterial. In one embodiment, the water blocking gel has a low gelviscosity, for example lower than 4000 mPas. In one embodiment, the SAPmaterial may have an average polymer particle size between 5 micrometersand 20 micrometers.

In some embodiments, cable 10 includes a reinforcement sheet or layer,shown as armor layer 30, that is located outside of film 28. Armor layer30 is wrapped around the interior elements (including optical fibers 18)of cable 10 such that armor layer 30 surrounds optical fibers 18. Armorlayer 30 generally provides an additional layer of protection to fibers18 within cable 10, and may provide resistance against damage (e.g.,damage caused by contact or compression during installation, damage fromthe elements, damage from rodents, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 2, optical core 26 is shown with film 28 incross-section to show the wrap or winding pattern of buffer tubes 20 andfiller rods 22 around central strength member 24. As shown in FIG. 2,film 28 includes an inner surface 32 that extends in the axial directionshown in FIG. 2 (i.e., left and right in the orientation of FIG. 2) andis in contact with the radially exterior portions of the outer surfacesof buffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22 in the axial direction.

In FIG. 2, optical core 26 is shown having at least one spiral wrappedsection. Specifically, optical core 26 is shown in an SZ wrapped pattern(also referred to as an SZ stranding pattern). In such embodiments,optical core 26 includes a right-handed spirally wrapped section 34, areversal section 36 and a left-handed spirally section 38. Withinright-handed spirally wrapped section 34, the core elements, such asbuffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22, are wrapped spirally in theright-handed direction. Within left-handed spirally wrapped section 38,the core elements, such as buffer tubes 20 and filler rods 22, arewrapped spirally in the left-handed direction. Reversal section 36 is asection that provides the transition between the right-handed spirallywrapped section 34 and the left-handed spirally wrapped section 38. Inone embodiment, reversal section 36 is shaped as a sinusoidal function.

It should be understood that while FIG. 2 shows one right-handedspirally wrapped section, one reversal section and one left-handedspirally wrapped section, optical core 26 may include a large number ofrepeating sections similar to the sections shown in FIG. 2. In variousembodiments, the right-handed spirally wrapped sections and left-handedspirally wrapped sections alternate along the length of optical core 26with reversal sections located between each oppositely wrapped spiralsection.

In addition, spirally wrapped sections include a pitch length (alsoknown as lay length) which is the axial distance required for one of thecore elements to complete a full revolution around strength member 24.In some embodiments, core 26 may have an average pitch length (oraverage lay length) which is the average of the multiple individualpitch lengths along the length of core 26. In various embodiments, eachof sections 34, 36 and 38 have axial lengths shown as L1, L2 and L3,respectively. Generally, L1 is the length of right-handed spirallywrapped section 34 and is the distance between the reversal sections atthe beginning and end of right-handed spirally wrapped section 34. L3 isthe length of left-handed spirally wrapped section 38 and is thedistance between the reversal sections at the beginning and end ofleft-handed spirally wrapped section 38. L2 is the length of reversalsection 36 and generally is the distance between the beginning point andthe end point of section 36. In general, the beginning point of section36 is the point at which the pitch of right-handed spirally wrappedsection 34 starts to change following section 34 moving in a directionfrom left to right in the orientation of FIG. 2, and the end point ofsection 36 is the point at which the pitch of left-handed spirallywrapped section 38 starts to change following section 38 moving in adirection from right to left in the orientation of FIG. 2.

In various embodiments, L1 and L3 are expressed in terms of the numberpitch lengths that reside in the section. In other words, L1 and L3 maybe expressed in terms of the number of revolutions of the core elementsthat are contained within each section. In various embodiments, L1 andL3 are less than 10 revolutions and more than one half revolution (i.e.,less than 10 pitch lengths or lay lengths and more than one half pitchlength or lay lengths). In various embodiments, L1 and L3 are between 1revolution and 1.5 revolutions. In other embodiments, L1 and L3 are 7revolutions, and in another embodiment, L1 and L3 are between 1 and 2revolutions. In some embodiments, L1 and L3 are substantially the samefor each right-handed spirally wrapped section 34 and each left-handedspirally wrapped section 38, respectively, along the length core 26. Inother embodiments, the frequency or position of reversal 36 varies alongthe axis of core 26, such that L1 and L3 are different at differentaxial positions along core 26. In such embodiments, core 26 may have anaverage pitch length for the right-handed spirally wrapped section 34and for the left-handed spirally wrapped section 38, which is theaverage of all pitch lengths along the length of core 26 with in eachsection. In various embodiments, L2 of reversal section 36 is between 45mm and 100 mm.

In various embodiments, film 28 is positioned relative to the wrappedpattern of core 26 to restrain the core 26 from unwinding or unwrappingduring cable construction. For example, in one embodiment (as shown inFIG. 8), film 28 is applied to the outer surface of core 26 immediatelyafter the core elements are wrapped around central strength member 24 inthe desired pattern. In this arrangement, film 28 holds the wrapped core26 in the desired wrapped pattern as additional cable components (e.g.,armor 30, and/or jacket 12) are applied over core 26. In anotherembodiment, core 26 is an optical communication bundle in which theouter surface of film 28 defines the outermost surface of thecommunication bundle. In such embodiments, core 26 does not includeouter layers such as jacket 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, in various embodiments, film 28 is configured toprovide substantially continuous contact with a portion of the outersurface of each of the core elements of core 26 for at least one pitchlength within right-handed spirally wrapped section 34 and/orleft-handed spirally wrapped section 38. In other embodiments, film 28is configured to provide substantially continuous contact with a portionof the outer surface of each of the core elements of core 26 for atleast five pitch lengths within right-handed spirally wrapped section 34and/or left-handed spirally wrapped section 38.

In another embodiment, film 28 is configured to provide substantiallycontinuous contact with a portion of the outer surface of each of thecore elements of core 26 extending over at least one right-handedspirally wrapped section 34, at least one left-handed spirally wrappedsection 38 and over the intervening reversal sections 36. In one suchspecific embodiment, film 28 is configured to provide substantiallycontinuous contact with a portion of the outer surface of each of theelements of core 26 extending over at least ten right-handed spirallywrapped section 34, at least ten left-handed spirally wrapped section 38and over the intervening reversal sections 36. In various embodiments,film 28 is configured to impart a radial inwardly directed force overreversal sections 36 causing inner surfaces of each of the core elementswithin the reversal section to engage the central strength member 24.This force may act to limit axial sliding of the core elements relativeto strength member 24 during manufacture. It should be understood thatcontact between film 28 and the outer surfaces of core 26 includesdirect contact between the inner surface 32 of film 28 and the outersurfaces of core 26, indirect contact in which particulate, gel orliquid material (such as water blocking/absorbent materials) areinterspersed between core 26 and film 28, or generally any arrangementthat allows the radially inwardly directed force generated by thecontractive forces of film 28 to be applied to core 26.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cable 40 is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment. Cable 40 is similar to cable 10 except as discussed herein.Cable 40 is shown without armor layer 30, according to an exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, inner surface 14 of jacket 12 facesouter surface 41 of film 28. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3,inner surface 14 of jacket 12 faces and directly contacts outer surface41 of film 28. As used herein one component that directly contactsanother component directly physically interacts with the componentwithout intervening layers of material or gaps of air/space. As usedherein, one component or surface that faces another component or surfaceis aligned with or pointed toward the component or surface and may ormay not include intervening layers of material or gaps of air/space.

In various embodiments, jacket 12 is made from an extruded polymermaterial that is different from the extruded polymer material that formsfilm 28. In one such embodiment, jacket 12 is made from an extrudedmedium density polyethylene material, and film 28 is formed from anextruded low density polyethylene material. In one such embodiment, whenthe heated material of jacket 12 contacts the cooled material of film 28during jacket extrusion, the two materials tend to melt together bondingthe material of jacket 12 to film 28. In such embodiments, jacket 12 andfilm 28 are bonded together such that opening or removal of jacket 12(e.g., via a rip cord) also opens or removes film 28. In otherembodiments, inner surface 14 of jacket 12 faces but does not directlycontact outer surface 41 of film 28, and in such embodiments, a layer,such as armor 30 is located between jacket 12 and film 28.

In various embodiments, as film 28 cools, film 28 contracts such thatfilm 28 is in tension around buffer tubes 20 of core elements 48. In theembodiment shown, film 28 forms an undulating pattern of interspersedconvex portions 49 and concave portions 51 resulting from the tensiongenerated as film 28 cools and/or vacuum applied to the interior of film28 during extrusion and cooling. In various embodiments, concaveportions 51 of film 28 engages a portion of the outer circumference ofeach buffer tube 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the portion of the outersurface of buffer tube 20 engaged by concave portions 51 can be definedby angle A. In various embodiments, angle A is between 10 degrees and 90degrees, specifically is between 20 degrees and 80 degrees and morespecifically is between 30 degrees and 70 degrees. In variousembodiments, angle A is greater than 10 degrees and less than 360degrees. In addition, because of the axially continuous andcircumferential continuous structure of film 28, film 28 includesconcave portions 51 that engage the outer surfaces of each buffer tube20 at each axial cross-sectional position. This structure is in contrastto a helically wound binder that engages a buffer tube tangentially andthat engages discreet portions of less than all of the buffer tubes ateach axial position along at least a portion of the length of cable 40.

As noted above, film 28 cools such that film 28 is in tension andapplies a radially inwardly directed force onto buffer tubes 20. Thus,in various embodiments, film 28 is an elastic sleeve that surrounds coreelements 48. In various embodiments, film 28 is a non-helical binder,and in such embodiments, the cables discussed herein do not include ahelically wound binder located between core elements 48 and jacket 12.In such embodiments, the residual strain within film 28 followingcooling is proportional to the radial force applied to buffer tubes 20.In various embodiments, because film 28 is extruded over buffer tubes 20and cools to apply the binding force, film 28 includes low or notorsional stress and/or low or no stress in the circumferentialdirection. Thus, in contrast to a helically wound binder that mayinclude both torsional stress and/or stress in the circumferentialdirection, film 28 may provide radial forces coupling core elements 48to central strength member 24 without significant torsional orcircumferential stress. In some embodiments, film 28 may be anon-extruded elastic sleeve imparting binding force to core elements 48as discussed herein.

Because film 28 is continuous both circumferentially and axially alongat least a portion of the axial length of core 26, at each axialcross-sectional position within film 28, the radially inwardly directedforce applied by film 28 is evenly distributed circumferentially aroundcore 26. In addition, in this arrangement, at each axial cross-sectionposition within film 28, the coupling normal force experienced bycentral strength member 24 transmitted from film 28 through buffer tubes20 is substantially evenly distributed around central strength member24. In contrast, the coupling normal force experienced by the centralstrength member within in a cable using a helical binder is distributedsubstantially following the helical path of the binder, and thus is notevenly distributed circumferentially around the central strength memberat a given axial position.

The embodiment of cable 40 shown in FIG. 3, includes six optical fibertransmission elements, shown as core elements 48, each including abuffer tube 20 and optical fibers 18. As shown the six core elements 48are evenly spaced around central strength member 24. As discussed above,FIG. 2 shows film 28 in substantially continuous engagement with outersurfaces of the elements of core 26 in the axial direction. In additionto the axial contact, as shown in FIG. 3, film 28 is also in contactwith the radial outermost surfaces of each of the core elements 48 inthe circumferential direction around core elements 48. It is throughboth the axial contact and the circumferential contact that film 28 actsto apply a radially inward direct force that is substantially continuousin the axial and circumferential directions to maintain core 26 in thestranding pattern as discussed above.

As will be understood, the outer width between opposing sections ofouter surfaces of film 28 (e.g., the cross-sectional dimension of film28 passing through the center of bore 16) and the inner width betweenopposing sections of the inner surface of film 28 (e.g., thecross-sectional dimension of film 28 passing through the center of bore16) are sized such that film 28 surrounds core elements 48 while alsoproviding sufficient strength and tension to provide the radially inwarddirected force discussed above. In various embodiments, film 28 has anaverage outer width of between 1 mm and 10 mm.

In various embodiments, cable 40 and/or cable 10 may include variousadditional cable components. As shown in FIG. 1, cable 10 may includeone or more rip cord 42 located between core 26 and film 28. Rip cord 42facilitates opening of cable jacket 12 and access to the optical fibersof cable 10, and because rip cord 42 is between core 26 and film 28 italso facilitates opening of film 28. In various embodiments, thematerial of film 28 may be configured to not significantly bond with thematerial of buffer tubes 20 allowing rip cord 42 to facilitateseparation of both cable jacket 12 and film 28 from buffer tubes 20. Inone such embodiment, film 28 is formed from a polyethylene material, andbuffer tubes 20 are formed from a material such as polypropylene orpolycarbonate that does not substantially bond to the polyethylene offilm 28

Referring to FIG. 4, cable 40 may also include one or more additionalelongate elements shown as elements 44 and 46. As shown in FIG. 3,elements 44 are located within bore 16 and element 46 is shown embeddedin jacket 12. In one embodiment, elements 44 and 46 are elongatestrength elements, and in another embodiment, elements 44 and 46 arewater blocking yarns. In various embodiments, jacket 12 includes one ormore co-extruded discontinuities (e.g., extruded regions ofpolypropylene) that extend axial through the jacket, and in suchembodiments, the discontinuity facilitates opening of jacket 12 bytearing. In one such embodiment, film 28 may be bonded to jacket 12acting to buttress the jacket limiting the chance of accidental openingor splitting along the discontinuity. In such embodiments, film 28 mayact to limit crack propagation through the material of jacket 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, a detailed view of one of the optical transmissioncore elements 48 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Asshown, each core element includes optical fibers 18 located within abore 50 defined by inner surface 52 of buffer tube 20. Buffer tube 20also includes an outer surface 54 that is in contact with film 28 asdiscussed above. In the embodiment shown, each core element includestwelve optical fibers 18, and in this arrangement three of the twelveoptical fibers are located in a central area of bore 50, and nine of thetwelve are located around the inner three fibers and at least some ofthe outer nine fibers have outer surfaces 56 that engage inner surface52 of buffer tube 20. In various embodiments, core element 48 includesat least nine optical fibers 18 located within buffer tube 20. In otherembodiments, core element 48 of cable 40 includes 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36or more optical fibers 18.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter of buffer tube 20,shown as ID1, is selected to provide densely packed optical fibers 18within buffer tube 20. In various embodiments, ID1 is between 0.5 mm and3.0 mm. In other embodiments, ID1 is between 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm. Invarious embodiments, there is zero clearance between inner surface 52 ofbuffer tube 20 and the radially outer most surfaces of at least somefibers 18 within tube 20. Because of the dense packing of fibers 18within buffer tubes 20 and because of the resulting contact betweenfiber outer surfaces 56 and inner surface 52 of buffer tube 20, thefibers 18 may tend to experience forces applied to outer surface 54 ofbuffer tube 20 which may in turn result in attenuation of the opticalsignal within fibers 18. Thus, in one embodiment, use of a bindingmembrane, such as film 28, in place of a typical helical tape or yarnbinder, will tend to evenly distribute the binding forces both axiallyand circumferentially which may limit strain-based attenuationexperienced by a signal with the optical fibers.

In addition, in various embodiments, fibers 18 extend between first andsecond opposing ends of the respective buffer tube, and in some suchembodiments, the length of each fiber 18 is substantially the samelength as buffer tube 20. In these embodiments, the optical transmissionelement has zero or near zero excess fiber length (EFL) within the tube.In some such embodiments, the core element 48 may be referred to as amircomodule that has a cross-sectional diameter less than the diameterof a buffer tube of loose tube cable. In other embodiments, core element48 may be a buffer tube of loose tube cable, and in such embodiments,may have an EFL greater than zero.

Referring to FIG. 5, a detailed view of film 28 and jacket 12 are shownaccording to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, film 28 has aradial dimension or thickness shown as T1, and jacket 12 has a radialdimension or thickness shown as T2. In various embodiments, T1 is lessthan 100 micrometers, and T2 is greater than 1 millimeter. In variousembodiments, T1 is between 25 micrometers and 75 micrometers and morespecifically is about 50 micrometers. In various embodiments, T2 isbetween 1 millimeter and 5 millimeters, specifically is between 1millimeter and 3 millimeters and more specifically is between 1.2millimeters and 1.4 millimeters. In one embodiment, jacket 12 is lessthan 5 millimeters. In one embodiment, jacket 12 is a thin jacket, andT2 is less than or equal to 0.2 mm. In various embodiments, T1 isbetween 0.5% and 10% of T2, specifically T1 is between 1.5% and 6.5% ofT2, and more specifically T1 is between 3.5% and 4.5% of T2.

In various embodiments, the outer diameter of jacket 12 of cable 10 isbetween 4 millimeters and 10 millimeters, specifically is between 5millimeters and 6 millimeters, and more specifically is about 5.4millimeters (e.g., 5.4 millimeters plus or minus 0.1 millimeter).

Buffer tube 20 has a radial dimension or thickness shown as T3. T3 mayvary based upon the number of fibers 18 located within tube 20. Invarious embodiments, T3 is between 0.2 millimeters and 0.7 millimeters,specifically is between 0.3 millimeters and 0.6 millimeters and morespecifically is between 0.4 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters. In aspecific embodiment, T3 is about 0.32 millimeters (e.g., 0.32 mm plus orminus 0.01 millimeters), and in another embodiment, T3 is about 0.36millimeters (e.g., 0.36 mm plus or minus 0.01 millimeters). In variousembodiments, buffer tubes 20 are formed from one or more polymermaterial including polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT),polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM),poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene) (ETFE), etc.

In various embodiments, core elements 48 can include a wide variety ofoptical fibers including multi-mode fibers, single mode fibers, bendinsensitive fibers, etc. In one embodiment, core elements 48 aremicromodules of densely packed fibers within a tube. In otherembodiments, core elements 48 are buffer tubes of a loose tube cable. Inanother embodiment, core elements 48 are tight buffered optical fibers.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, different sized optical fiber cables areshown according to exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, cable 60is substantially similar to cable 10 discussed above, except cable 60includes eight core elements 48. In various embodiments, the outerdiameter of jacket 12 of cable 60 is between 6 millimeters and 7millimeters, and more specifically is about 6.4 millimeters (e.g., 6.4millimeters plus or minus 0.1 millimeter). As shown in FIG. 7, cable 70is substantially similar to cable 10 discussed above, except cable 70includes twelve core elements 48. In various embodiments, the outerdiameter of jacket 12 of cable 70 is between 8 millimeters and 9millimeters, and more specifically is about 8.2 millimeters (e.g., 8.2millimeters plus or minus 0.1 millimeter). In addition, central strengthmember 24 of cable 70 includes an outer coating layer 72. In otherembodiments, cables discussed herein may include 2, 4, 10, 14, 16, 20,24, 32, etc. core elements 48.

Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic view of a process and system 100 forforming an SZ stranded core element surrounded by a binding film ormembrane, such as film 28, is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment. An oscillating nose piece 102 wraps core elements 48 arounda central strength member in a spiral pattern, such as SZ strandingpattern 104. Nose piece 102 is located within an extruded film cone 106that is formed as the material to form film 28 exits from the extruder.The extruded film material 106 is drawn down to closely adhere to core26.

As the film material 106 engages core 26, a constraining device, shownas caterpuller 110, engages the film coated core 26. Generally,caterpuller 110 engages core 26 to provide physical support to the woundcore elements 48 while the material of extruded film 28 cools andsolidifies. In other words, caterpuller 110 holds core elements 48 inplace in the desired stranding pattern while film 28 cools andsolidifies, and once film 28 is solidified, the tension within film 28generates radial inwardly directed forces that hold core elements 48 inplace in the desired stranding pattern. Caterpullers 110 also impartmovement to film coated core 26 in the direction of arrow 114 to movefilm coated core 26 to receive other cable components including cablejacket 12 at subsequent stations in the cable assembly process. In otherembodiments, system 100 may include other constraining devices, forexample capstans may be used in place of caterpuller 110.

Referring to FIG. 8, system 100 is configured to accelerate the coolingof film 28 by providing an active cooling element that removes heat fromthe extruded material that forms film 28. In the embodiment shown system100 is configured to direct a cooling fluid, shown as cooling fluid 116(e.g., air, water, other coolant, etc.), on to the extruded materialthat forms film 28. Fluid 116 helps remove heat from film 28accelerating the solidification process.

In various embodiments, system 100 is configured to apply SAP particlesor powder 118 into the region between film 28 and core 26. In thisembodiment, SAP 118 is applied to the interior of extruded film cone106, and may be driven by a vacuum applied to the interior of extrudedfilm cone 106. In such embodiments, SAP 118 is driven into theinterstices between elements 48 within bore 16. In addition, SAPparticles are embedded into the molten material of extruded film cone106. Thus, upon solidification, film 28 is formed with embedded waterblocking particles along its interior surface. In some embodiments,embedded water blocking particles are also applied to the outer surfaceof film 28. Thus, in such embodiments, film 28 also acts as the waterblocking agent eliminating the need to add separate water blockinglayers, for some cable applications.

As discussed above, as film 28 cools, film 28 contracts applying aradial inwardly directed force that is evenly distributed around core26. Thus, film 28 acts to hold core 26 in the desired wrapped patternwhile other components of the cable are added. In various embodiments,because film 28 is extruded around core 26 (as opposed to beinghelically wrapped) and is cooled such that the tension within film 28acts to apply the inward binding force, film 28 does not applysignificant torsional forces to core 26.

In addition to utilizing caterpuller 110 to hold core 26 in place priorto solidification of film 28, system 100 may be configured to apply anadhesive to core 26. In one such embodiment, a hot melt adhesive isapplied to core 26 adjacent to nose piece 102.

In various embodiments, system 100 may be configured to perform a methodof forming an optical cable. In one such embodiment, the method includeswrapping a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements around anelongate central support member. The method also includes extruding afilm formed around the plurality of wrapped elongate opticaltransmission elements such that an inner surface of the film is incontact with an outer surface of each of the plurality of elongateoptical transmission elements. The method includes cooling the film suchthat the film solidifies applying a radially inwardly directed force tothe plurality of elongate optical transmission elements. The method alsoincludes extruding a cable body around the film following cooling of thefilm. In various embodiments, discussed above the film and jacket may beformed from the same type of material or different types of material. Invarious embodiments of the method, the inner surface of the film firstcontacts the outer surface of each of the plurality of elongate opticaltransmission elements within a distance of 100 mm from the point atwhich the elongate optical transmission elements are wrapped around anelongate central support member. In various embodiments of the method,the first material is a low density polyethylene material and the secondmaterial a medium density polyethylene material. In various embodiments,the method includes engaging an outer surface of the film afterextruding the film and prior to solidification of the film. In one suchembodiment, the engaging is performed by an advancing device, such ascaterpuller 110.

In various embodiments, cable jacket 12 may be a variety of materialsused in cable manufacturing such as medium density polyethylene,polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), nylon,polyester or polycarbonate and their copolymers. In addition, thematerial of cable jacket 12 may include small quantities of othermaterials or fillers that provide different properties to the materialof cable jacket 12. For example, the material of cable jacket 12 mayinclude materials that provide for coloring, UV/light blocking (e.g.,carbon black), burn resistance, etc.

In various embodiments, the cable embodiments discussed herein mayinclude one or more electrical conductive element located within bore16. In various embodiments, the conductive element may be a copperconductive element having a diameter of 12 AWG, 14 AWG, 16 AWG, 18 AWG,20 AWG, 22 AWG, 24 AWG, or smaller.

As noted above, the radially directed inwardly directed force applied byfilm 28 helps restrain and hold the wound core elements 48 in placeduring subsequent manufacturing process and also limits axially slidingthat may occur between core elements and the strength element. Viapull-through testing, Applicants have found that the magnitude of thestatic friction force is related to the thickness of the film 28. For apolypropylene film 28 of at least 0.02 mm but less than 0.04 mm inaverage wall thickness, the static friction force for a 100 mm sectionof core elements 48 (without a jacket) is at least 10 N, such as about12.4 N, and/or the average static friction force for a 200 mm section ofcore elements 48 is at least 20 N, such as about 23.1 N. Accordingly, insuch embodiments, the net spring force of the core elements 48 withinthe reverse-oscillatory stranding pattern is about 10 N or less for a100 mm section to prevent or limit axial migration of the core elements48. Applicants have also found, for a polypropylene film 28 of at least0.08 mm but less than 0.15 mm in average wall thickness, the averagestatic friction force for a 100 mm section of stranded elements is atleast 20 N, such as at least 30 N, and/or the average static frictionforce for a 200 mm section of stranded elements is at least 40 N, suchas at least 50 N. Some testing included core elements bound by both film28 and binders yarns to determine the contribution of the film 28.

While the specific cable embodiments discussed herein and shown in thefigures relate primarily to cables and core elements that have asubstantially circular cross-sectional shape defining substantiallycylindrical internal bores, in other embodiments, the cables and coreelements discussed herein may have any number of cross-section shapes.For example, in various embodiments, cable jacket 12 and/or buffer tubes20 may have an oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular orother cross-sectional shape. In such embodiments, the passage or lumenof the cable or buffer tube may be the same shape or different shapethan the shape of cable jacket 12 or buffer tube. In some embodiments,cable jacket 12 and/or buffer tube may define more than one channel orpassage. In such embodiments, the multiple channels may be of the samesize and shape as each other or may each have different sizes or shapes.

The optical transmission elements discussed herein include opticalfibers that may be flexible, transparent optical fibers made of glass orplastic. The fibers may function as a waveguide to transmit lightbetween the two ends of the optical fiber. Optical fibers may include atransparent core surrounded by a transparent cladding material with alower index of refraction. Light may be kept in the core by totalinternal reflection. Glass optical fibers may comprise silica, but someother materials such as fluorozirconate, fluoroaluminate, andchalcogenide glasses, as well as crystalline materials, such assapphire, may be used. The light may be guided down the core of theoptical fibers by an optical cladding with a lower refractive index thattraps light in the core through total internal reflection. The claddingmay be coated by a buffer and/or another coating(s) that protects itfrom moisture and/or physical damage. These coatings may be UV-curedurethane acrylate composite materials applied to the outside of theoptical fiber during the drawing process. The coatings may protect thestrands of glass fiber.

In some embodiments, as disclosed above, the binding element (e.g.,sleeve, film, membrane) and/or the jacket of the respective cable mayinclude, such as primarily include or is formed from, polyethylene. Insome such embodiments, the polyethylene may be high-density polyethylenehaving a density about 0.93 to 0.97 g/cm³. In some embodiments, thebuffer tubes include polycarbonate, as discussed above, and may furtherinclude an exterior and/or interior layer of another polymer, such aspolybutylene terephthalate or polypropylene, which may serve to limit ormitigate crack initiation or propagation through the polycarbonate.

The following are specific examples of cables as disclosed herein.

Example 1

One embodiment includes a cable having six tubes positioned around aglass-reinforced plastic strength member. The strength member may have adiameter of about 1.5 mm. The tubes may be polypropylene or a compositeof a polycarbonate inner layer with polybutylene terephthalate outerlayer. The tubes may have an outer diameter of 1.4 mm, 1.3 mm, or 1.1mm. The tubes may each include twelve optical fibers. Additionally, thecable includes two water-blocking yarns wrapped around the strengthmember, such about 1100 dtex in fineness of the yarn. The cable includesa stranding lay length or pitch length, as discussed above, in the rangeof between about 56 to 60 mm. Further, the core includes a bindingelement, as disclosed herein, and possibly includes one or more ripcordsto remove the binding element and/or the jacket. The core has an outerdiameter of about 4.4 mm. The jacket is formed from high-densitypolyethylene, has a thickness of about 0.5 mm, and may be colored black.The resulting outer diameter of the cable is about 5.3 mm

Example 2

Another embodiment includes a cable having eight tubes positioned arounda glass-reinforced plastic strength member. The strength member may havea diameter of about 2.5 mm. The tubes may be polypropylene or acomposite of a polycarbonate inner layer with polybutylene terephthalateouter layer. The tubes may have an outer diameter of 1.4 mm, 1.3 mm, or1.1 mm. The tubes may each include twelve optical fibers. Additionally,the cable includes two water-blocking yarns wrapped around the strengthmember, such about 1100 dtex in fineness of the yarn. The cable includesa stranding lay length or pitch length, as discussed above, in the rangeof between about 66 to 70 mm. Further, the core includes a bindingelement, as disclosed herein, and possibly includes one or more ripcordsto remove the binding element and/or the jacket. The core has an outerdiameter of about 5.4 mm. The jacket is formed from high-densitypolyethylene, has a thickness of about 0.5 mm, and may be colored black.The resulting outer diameter of the cable is about 6.3 mm

Example 3

Another embodiment includes a cable having twelve tubes positionedaround a glass-reinforced plastic strength member. The strength membermay have a diameter of about 2.5 mm or 4.3 mm. The tubes may bepolypropylene or a composite of a polycarbonate inner layer withpolybutylene terephthalate outer layer. The tubes may have an outerdiameter of 1.4 mm, 1.3 mm, or 1.1 mm. The tubes may each include twelveoptical fibers. Additionally, the cable includes two water-blockingyarns wrapped around the strength member, such about 1100 dtex infineness of the yarn. The cable includes a stranding lay length or pitchlength, as discussed above, in the range of between about 80 to 84 mm.Further, the core includes a binding element, as disclosed herein, andpossibly includes one or more ripcords to remove the binding elementand/or the jacket. The core has an outer diameter of about 7.2 mm. Thejacket is formed from high-density polyethylene, has a thickness ofabout 0.5 mm, and may be colored black. The resulting outer diameter ofthe cable is about 8.1 mm.

In contemplated embodiments, cables similar to the above describedexamples and other embodiments disclosed herein, may include at leastfour tubes carrying optical fibers and/or no more than twenty tubes,such as at least six and/or no more than eighteen tubes. In contemplatedembodiments, the central strength member of any one of the aboveexamples may include steel or even stranded stainless steel, such as asteel rod up jacketed with polyethylene insulator. In contemplatedembodiments, the central strength member is at least about 1.25 mm indiameter and/or no more than about 5 mm in diameter. In somecontemplated embodiments, even smaller tubes are used than thosedescribed in the examples, such as tubes having an outer diameter ofabout 1 mm or less, where the tubes may still include twelve opticalfibers, but the optical fibers may have smaller diameters than typicaloptical fibers, such as diameters as small as 210 micrometers or less,such as about 200 micrometers in diameter. In some embodiments, 1 mmtubes or other size tubes as disclosed herein may include fewer opticalfibers than twelve, such as 8 or less optical fibers, or 4 or lessoptical fibers. In other contemplated embodiments, larger tubes may beused, such as tubes that are greater than 1.4 mm in diameter and lessthan about 2 mm in diameter, where such tubes may carry more than twelveoptical fibers and/or no more than a hundred optical fibers, such astwenty-four optical fibers of about 200 micrometers in diameter within a1.7 mm tube. In some contemplated embodiments, the cables may notinclude water-blocking yarn, or may use other sizes or numbers ofwater-blocking yarn. In some contemplated embodiments, the lay or pitchlength of the stranding is at least about 50 mm and/or no more thanabout 100 mm. In contemplated embodiments, such as those similar to theabove examples and embodiments disclosed above, the core has an outerdiameter that is at least about 3 mm and/or no more than about 10 mm,such as at least about 4 mm and/or no more than about 9 mm. Incontemplated embodiments, the wall thickness of the jacket is at least0.3 mm and/or no more than 0.8 mm. The material of the jacket may be anytype of polyethylene, or may be a flame-retardant material, such asfilled polyvinyl chloride or a low-smoke-zero-halogen material. Thejacket may be orange, green, or otherwise colored. The resulting outerdiameter of contemplated cables disclosed herein is at least 4 mm and/orno greater than about 12 mm, such as at least about 5 mm and/or nogreater than about 10 mm. The above disclosure may allow for aparticular narrow minicable, able to be routed in small ducts andconsuming little space.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein thearticle “a” is intended include one or more than one component orelement, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosed embodiments. Since modificationscombinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosedembodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the embodimentsmay occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosed embodimentsshould be construed to include everything within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical communication cable comprising: acable body including a passage within the cable body; a first coreelement located in the passage of the cable body, the first core elementincluding an outer surface and a first optical transmission element; asecond core element located in the passage of the cable body, the secondcore element including an outer surface and a second opticaltransmission element; a strength member located in the passage of thecable body, wherein the first core element and the second core elementare wound around the strength member; and a film formed from a firstpolyethylene material located within the passage of the cable body, thefilm surrounding the first core element, the second core element and thestrength member, wherein the film applies a radial inwardly directedforce to the outer surface of the first core element and the outersurface of the second core element; wherein the cable body is formedfrom a second polyethylene material different from the firstpolyethylene material, the cable body surrounding the film, the cablebody having an inner surface that faces the outer surface of the film,wherein the outer surface of the film and the inner surface of the cablebody contact one another at an interface therebetween where the firstand second polyethylene materials are bonded to one another,facilitating simultaneous opening or removal of the cable body and filmtogether.
 2. The optical communication cable of claim 1 wherein theradially inwardly directed force is evenly distributed around the firstcore element and the second core element at a first axial position alongthe cable body.
 3. The optical communication cable of claim 1 whereinthe first core element includes a first tube having an inner surfacedefining a bore, wherein the first optical transmission element islocated within the bore of the first tube, wherein the second coreelement includes a second tube having an inner surface defining a bore,wherein the second optical transmission element is located within thebore of the second tube, wherein the diameter of the bore of the firsttube is between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, wherein the diameter of the bore ofthe second tube is between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, wherein the inner surfaceof the first tube is in contact with a portion of an outer surface ofthe first optical transmission element, wherein the inner surface of thesecond tube is in contact with a portion of an outer surface of thesecond optical transmission element.
 4. The optical communication cableof claim 3 wherein the first optical transmission element includes atleast nine optical fibers and the second optical transmission elementincludes at least nine optical fibers, wherein an inner surface of thefilm contacts the outer surface of the first core element and the outersurface of the second core element.
 5. The optical communication cableof claim 4 wherein the film has a thickness that is less 100micrometers, and the cable body has a thickness greater than 1millimeter, wherein an outer diameter of the cable body is between 4millimeters and 10 millimeters.
 6. The optical communication cable ofclaim 1 wherein the first core element and the second core element arewrapped around the strength member such that the wrapped first andsecond core elements include a plurality of left-handed spirally wrappedsections, a plurality of right-handed spirally wrapped sections and aplurality of reversal sections providing transitions between theleft-handed spirally wrapped sections and the right-handed spirallywrapped sections.
 7. The optical communication cable of claim 6 whereineach left-handed spirally wrapped section includes less than 10revolutions and more than one half revolution between reversals and eachright-handed spirally wrapped section includes less than 10 revolutionsand more than one half revolution between reversals, wherein the cabledoes not include a helically wrapped binder element located between thefirst and second core elements and the cable body.
 8. The opticalcommunication cable of claim 7 wherein the inner surface of the film isin substantially continuous contact with the outer surface of the firstcore element and the outer surface of the second core element extendingaxially over at least one left-handed spirally wrapped section, at leastone right-handed spirally wrapped section, and at least one reversal. 9.An optical communication cable comprising: a cable body including a borewithin the cable body; an elongate central strength member located in acentral area of the bore; a plurality of elongate optical transmissionelements wrapped around the elongate central strength member such that aportion of a length of the plurality of wrapped elongate opticaltransmission elements forms a spiral portion around the elongate centralstrength member; and an extruded membrane surrounding the plurality ofelongate optical transmission elements, the extruded membrane formedfrom a first material, wherein the extruded membrane is contiguous in acircumferential direction around the elongate optical transmissionelements and is contiguous in an axial direction for at least onerevolution of the elongate optical transmission elements around theelongate central strength member within the spiral portion, wherein themembrane contacts an outer surface of each of the plurality of elongateoptical transmission elements within the spiral portion; wherein themembrane forms an undulating pattern in cross-section, which includesinterspaced convex portions and concave portions as the extrudedmembrane contacts and extends between each of the plurality of elongateoptical transmission elements within the spiral portion, and wherein themembrane applies a radial inwardly directed force to the outer surfaceof the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements, limiting theelongate optical transmission elements from unwinding from around theelongate central strength member; wherein the cable body is formed froman extruded second material, the cable body surrounding the membrane,the cable body having an inner surface that faces the outer surface ofthe membrane.
 10. The optical communication cable of claim 9 wherein theextruded membrane has a thickness less than 100 micrometers.
 11. Theoptical communication cable of claim 9 wherein at least one of theoptical transmission elements is a tight buffered optical fiber.
 12. Theoptical communication cable of claim 9 wherein the spiral portionincludes at least five adjacent revolutions in the right-hand direction,wherein the membrane applies a radial inwardly directed force to theouter surface of each of the plurality of elongate optical transmissionelements extending over at least five adjacent revolutions of the spiralportion.
 13. The optical communication cable of claim 9 wherein theplurality of optical transmission elements are wrapped around theelongate central strength member such that the plurality of opticaltransmission elements include a plurality of left-handed spirallywrapped sections, a plurality of right-handed spirally wrapped sectionsand a plurality of reversal sections providing transitions between theleft-handed spirally wrapped sections and the right-handed spirallywrapped sections.
 14. The optical communication cable of claim 13wherein each left-handed spirally wrapped section includes less than 10revolutions and more than one half revolution between reversals and eachright-handed spirally wrapped section includes less than 10 revolutionsand more than one half revolution.
 15. The optical communication cableof claim 14 wherein an inner surface of the membrane is in substantiallycontinuous contact with the outer surface of each of the plurality ofelongate optical transmission elements extending over one of theleft-handed spirally wrapped sections, one of the right-handed spirallywrapped sections and the reversal section located between theleft-handed spirally wrapped section and the right-handed spirallywrapped section.
 16. The optical communication cable of claim 1, whereinthe first polyethylene material of the film is a lower densitypolyethylene material than the second polyethylene material of the body.17. The optical communication cable of claim 16, wherein the secondpolyethylene material of the body has a high density, in the range of0.93 to 0.97 g/cm³.
 18. The optical communication cable of claim 1,wherein the body comprises a discontinuity that extends axially throughthe body, whereby the discontinuity facilitates opening of body bytearing, and wherein the film is bonded to body such that the filmbuttresses the body, thereby limiting chances of accidental opening orsplitting along the discontinuity.
 19. The optical communication cableof claim 1, wherein the cable body is thicker than the film.
 20. Theoptical communication cable of claim 9, wherein the body comprises adiscontinuity that extends axially through the body, whereby thediscontinuity facilitates opening of body by tearing, and wherein themembrane is bonded to body such that the membrane buttresses the body,thereby limiting chances of accidental opening or splitting along thediscontinuity.
 21. The optical communication cable of claim 9, whereinthe cable body is thicker than the membrane.
 22. An opticalcommunication cable, comprising: a cable jacket having an inner surfacethat defines a cavity, wherein the optical communication cable has anouter diameter of no greater than 12 millimeters; a central strengthmember located in a central area of the cavity; buffer tubes wrappedaround the central strength member in an SZ stranding pattern, whereinthe buffer tubes each have an inner diameter of between 0.5 and 3.0millimeters, wherein the buffer tubes carry optical fibers, wherein theoptical fibers in the buffer tubes have EFL of about 0.1% or less peroptical fiber on average; and a thin film binder surrounding the buffertubes, the thin film binder formed from a first polymer, wherein thethin film binder is contiguous in a circumferential direction around thebuffer tubes and is contiguous in an axial direction for at least onerevolution of the buffer tubes around the central strength member withinthe SZ stranding pattern, wherein the thin film binder forms anundulating pattern in cross-section, which includes interspaced convexportions and concave portions as the thin film binder contacts andextends between individual ones of the buffer tubes, and wherein thethin film binder applies a radial inwardly directed force to the outersurface of the buffer tubes, limiting the buffer tubes from unwindingfrom around the central strength member; wherein the cable jacket isformed from a second polymer, the cable jacket surrounding the thin filmbinder, the cable jacket having an inner surface that faces the outersurface of the thin film binder.
 23. The optical communication cable ofclaim 22, wherein the optical communication cable has an outer diameterof at least 4 millimeters.
 24. The optical communication cable of claim22, wherein the optical communication cable is a minicable with thecentral strength member having a diameter of no more than about 5millimeters.
 25. The optical communication cable of claim 22, wherein atleast some of the optical fibers have diameters of 210 micrometers orless.
 26. The optical communication cable of claim 22, wherein the cablejacket is thicker than the thin film binder, and wherein the wallthickness of the jacket is at least 0.3 millimeters.
 27. An opticalcommunication cable comprising: a cable jacket having an inner surfacethat defines a cavity, wherein the optical communication cable has anouter diameter of no greater than 12 millimeters; a first buffer tubelocated in the cavity of the cable jacket, the first buffer tubeincluding an outer surface, wherein the first buffer tube has an innerdiameter of between 0.5 and 3.0 millimeters, wherein the first buffertube carries optical fibers, wherein the optical fibers in the firstbuffer tube have EFL of about 0.1% or less per optical fiber on average;a second buffer tube located in the cavity of the cable jacket, thesecond buffer tube including an outer surface, wherein the second buffertube has an inner diameter of between 0.5 and 3.0 millimeters, whereinthe second buffer tube carries optical fibers, wherein the opticalfibers in the second buffer tube have EFL of about 0.1% or less peroptical fiber on average; a central strength member located in thecavity of the cable jacket, wherein the first and second buffer tubesare wound around the central strength member, wherein the first andsecond buffer tubes are wrapped around the central strength member in anSZ stranding pattern; and a thin film binder formed from a firstpolyethylene material located within the cavity of the cable jacket, thethin film binder surrounding the first buffer tube, the second buffertube and the central strength member, wherein the thin film binderapplies a radial inwardly directed force to the outer surfaces of thefirst and second buffer tubes; wherein the cable body is thicker thanthe film; wherein the cable jacket is formed from a second polyethylenematerial different from the first polyethylene material, the cablejacket surrounding the thin film binder, the cable jacket having aninner surface that faces an outer surface of the thin film binder,wherein the outer surface of the thin film binder and the inner surfaceof the cable jacket contact one another at an interface therebetweenwhere the first and second polyethylene materials are bonded to oneanother, facilitating simultaneous opening or removal of the cablejacket and thin film binder together.
 28. The optical communicationcable of claim 27, wherein the first polyethylene material of the filmis a lower density polyethylene material than the second polyethylenematerial of the body.
 29. The optical communication cable of claim 28,wherein the second polyethylene material of the body has a high density,in the range of 0.93 to 0.97 g/cm³.
 30. The optical communication cableof claim 27, wherein the body comprises a discontinuity that extendsaxially through the body, whereby the discontinuity facilitates openingof body by tearing, and wherein the film is bonded to body such that thefilm buttresses the body, thereby limiting chances of accidental openingor splitting along the discontinuity.